So you‘re considering an electric vehicle purchase now that more EV options and charging stations keep rolling into Tennessee. Smart move! As a long-time Nashville resident and EV driver myself, I‘ve compiled this comprehensive guide to walk you through all the key details about transitioning to an electric ride here in our rapidly evolving EV landscape.
How Far We‘ve Come: The Current State of Tennessee‘s EV Infrastructure
Public charging stations were few and far between when I first purchased my Chevy Bolt five years ago. Finding a place outside my garage to juice up around town meant planning ahead and having backup options in mind in case stations were occupied or out of service.
But infrastructure and technology have advanced by leaps and bounds as electric vehicles continue growing in popularity across Tennessee:
| Year | Number of Charging Stations | Locations Added |
|---|---|---|
| 2018 | 356 | Major highways, Nashville, Memphis |
| 2021 | 1,204 | Knoxville, Chattanooga, State Parks |
| 2023 | 1,864 | Expanding along rural routes and small towns |
With over 1,800 charging ports now available statewide and expansions underway, range anxiety continues to ease. Apps like PlugShare and ChargePoint make locating stations a breeze whether you‘re downtown charging over lunch or need a remote top-up on a Smoky Mountain road trip.
While our charging infrastructure still lags behind EV leaders like California and New York, Tennessee ranks in the top half nationally and continues installing new stations each month.
Charging Made Easy: Your Guide to EV Plug Types
Not sure of the differences between various electric vehicle charging levels and connectors? I‘ve decoded it for you here:
Level 1 charging simply plugs into any standard household 120V outlet. The drawback is slower charge times – usually just 2-5 miles of range added per hour plugged in. But Level 1 works perfectly for overnight top-ups when you don‘t need a quick turnaround.
Level 2 remains the sweet spot for public charging and home installations. Also called EVSE (Electric Vehicle Supply Equipment), Level 2 chargers operate on the 240V circuits used for major appliances like dryers or air conditioning units. This allows 10-25 miles of range per hour of charging time – ideal for a few hours parked at destinations like work, restaurants, hotels or retail locations.
Level 2 connectors come in two common varieties:
- J1772 plug – Compatible with all non-Tesla makes
- Tesla proprietary plug – Used exclusively on Tesla vehicles
DC Fast Charge (or Supercharge for Tesla) represents the Formula 1 racers of EV charging. Rates as high as 25 miles of range per minute make them ideal for rapid fill-ups on road trips when you need to minimize charging downtime.
DC fast chargers use different connections than slower Level 1 and Level 2 stations. Most non-Tesla EVs use the SAE Combo CCS plug. And Tesla Superchargers employ their own proprietary Supercharger plug shape to connect with the Model S, 3, X and Y lineup.
Chart showing common electric vehicle charging connector types via MyEV.com
Now that you‘re a charging plug expert, let‘s talk about…
Where to Juice Up Your EV Around Tennessee
Charging stations continue popping up across Tennessee‘s urban centers faster than you can down a Moonpie at the Memphis airport. But what about hitting the open road beyond the city or planning that family cabin getaway in the Smokies?
Let‘s break down the charging options through different regions of Tennessee:
Chattanooga
With EPB Chattanooga‘s forward-thinking high-speed municipal broadband internet network, it‘s no surprise that Chattanooga stands out as a leader on multiple high-tech fronts – including EV infrastructure.
Over 230 public charging ports now operate within Hamilton County limits alone, and dozens more chargers lie just outside downtown. Visitors can juice up their EVs while touring the world-class Tennessee Aquarium or walking along the Riverfront.
Nashville
As Nashville rapidly expands, so does its portfolio of EV charging capability. Downtown now hosts over 75 public charging locations, with many hotels, parking garages, Nissan Stadium and Bridgestone Arena adding charging for convenient fill-ups while experiencing Music City.
And the state government aims to lead by example – dozens of electric vehicle charging stations have been added to serve state employees driving to the Capitol Complex and other offices.
Memphis
Home of blues music legends and the best BBQ around keeps in tune with EV trends too! Over 100 public charging ports now operate across the Memphis metro. Stations conveniently located at Graceland, the Memphis Zoo and Beale Street make it easy for EV drivers to stop and recharge while experiencing this vibrant city.
Knoxville
Over 65 EV charging ports now pepper Knoxville‘s streets, and dozens more power up EVs regionally between Knoxville, Oak Ridge National Laboratories, and Great Smoky Mountains National Park. Knoxville Utility Board‘s $400 home charging station rebate further entices homeowners to embrace electric vehicle life.
Rural Charging Improvements
Tennessee‘s charging map certainly looks more robust along urban corridors and statewide highways. But rural reach keeps expanding too – you‘ll now find public charging ports distributed through most small towns. State parks have gotten on board adding charging capability so EV drivers can venture off the beaten path.
And statewide Fast Charging initiatives aim to fill rural fast charging deserts. Fifty new DC fast chargers are slated for deployment along tourist routes and country highways over the next three years so EV drivers can roam Tennessee‘s backroads with confidence.
Apps to Locate Charging Stations
Apps and websites like PlugShare and ChargeHub catalog public chargers across Tennessee and most other states. Filter by location, charging speed or connector type to pinpoint your best charging match. Crowdsourced ratings and reviews also help identify reliable stations.
Many individual charging networks like Electrify America and Volta Charging also have station maps on their websites or smartphone apps.
So don‘t worry about getting stranded – with a little planning through charging apps, EVs can now venture nearly anywhere across Tennessee on electrons.
Cost Breakdown: Is Driving Electric Cheaper in Tennessee?
Saving cash provides prime motivation for many drivers going electric. And Tennessee offers some nice perks on that front…
Electricity tends to cost less in Tennessee than national averages at around $0.11 per kWh across much of the state. Combined with EVs being over 3 times more efficient than their gas counterparts, electricity equates to exceptionally cheap miles.
Charging your EV locally yields the deepest discounts vs using public stations. But Tennessee public charging costs remain affordable:
| Charger Type | Cost per kWh | Approx Cost per Full Charge |
|---|---|---|
| Level 1 | Often Free | $0 |
| Level 2 | $0.20-$0.30 | $8-$40 |
| DC Fast Charge | $0.35 | $10-$30 |
Based on 15,000 miles annually, electricity costs would total under $550 yearly to fuel an efficient EV.
Compared to approximately $2,200 per year that a 30mpg gas car would consume over the same mileage.
Tennessee does add a $100 registration fee for EVs to help fund road infrastructure in lieu of lost gas tax revenue. Even factoring that in, lifetime ownership costs for an electric vehicle calculate substantially lower than a gas counterpart – typically $6,000+ lower net cost over a 5-year span.
Between no oil changes, reduced brake maintenance, and cheap electrical power, going electric saves the average Tennessee driver thousands over gas vehicle ownership.
Incentives, Rebates and More: Perks for Tennessee EV Owners
Tennessee offers a few nice kickbacks if trading your gas guzzler for electric:
Federal EV Tax Credit
Worth up to $7,500 depending on the vehicles make and model year, this major federal incentive remains in effect for certain new EV purchases until each manufacturer reaches their 200,000 unit cap. Nissan and GM have already phased out from full credit eligibility, but most other automakers still qualify as of 2023.
The credit comes as a dollar-for-dollar reduction in your annual IRS tax liability – so if you purchased a qualifying EV for $42,000 in 2023 and owed say $5,000 in income tax for the year, applying this credit would reduce your tax downpayment to $2,500 upon filing.
Local Utility Perks
EPB Chattanooga offers a $200-400 rebate when purchasing Level 2 home charging equipment for faster overnight charging convenience.
Some Tennessee power cooperatives provide special Time of Use rates for households who charge EVs overnight during low demand hours. This could be around $0.07 per kWh vs $0.11 for general consumption – saving you over 35% off public charging station rates.
So investigate programs your regional electric provider might offer existing and potential EV customers!
While state incentives remain low for Tennessee, federal credits and the odd local utility perk combined with our moderately-priced electricity make EV ownership a savvy financial play here.
Hitting the Open Road: Tennessee‘s Best Electric Road Trip Routes
When your EV adventure dreams call for venturing farther beyond your neighborhood, which Tennessee routes offer the most robust charging capability today?
Interstates 40, 65, 75, 81 and 24 rank among the most built-up so far, allowing EV drivers to confidently road trip from Memphis to Knoxville or Kentucky to Alabama and most points between using the fast charging network.
Several cross-state highways now have reliable DC fast charging coverage too. So an EV trip from Nashville to towns like Clarksville, Cookeville, Cleveland or Crossville proves very feasible relying solely on public infrastructure.
The state government continues funding further expansion projects over the next few years focused on improving rural fast charging access specifically. Another 50 planned fast charger installations aim to connect more Tennessee destinations like Gatlinburg, Lynchburg and state parks to EV travel routes soon.
So don‘t let range anxiety deter you – between ever-growing DC fast charging ports and slower Level 2 stations peppering most small towns, electric vehicles can now tackle trips through much of Tennessee with a bit of planning.
What Does the Future Hold for EVs in Tennessee?
Tennessee has laid out ambitious goals for expanding electric vehicle adoption over the next 5 years. The Tennessee Valley Authority projects reaching 200,000 registered EVs statewide by 2028 – nearly 20X the number on roads today!
Ongoing initiatives like TVA‘s Fast Charge TN program will continue building out rural fast charging infrastructure using $2 million in federal grant funding specifically earmarked to improve EV access beyond cities.
And Volkswagen‘s Electrify America division is halfway through their 10-year commitment to install EV charging stations across the country – including dozens more Tennessee locations by 2026.
So buckle up for the ride (emission-free, of course!) – between improving public infrastructure, more EV model options hitting the market yearly and batteries seeing 40-50 mile range increases annually, Tennessee looks to shift vehicles into high gear electrifying transportation across the state over the next decade.
Shopping Electric: Where to Buy Your New EV in Tennessee
Gone are the days when electric vehicle offerings were limited to just a couple compliance car models only available on special order. Whether looking to purchase new or used, EV buyers now enjoy:
- Mainstream brands like Nissan, Chevy, Kia and Hyundai each selling 10,000+ EVs annually in Tennessee
- Luxury marques from Audi, BMW, Mercedes and Lexus electrifying classic luxury sedans, SUVs and supercars
- All-electric automakers like Polestar and Lucid opening Tennessee showrooms
- Rivian, Atlis and Bollinger launching electric adventure trucks
- Global icons NIO and Vinfast preparing market entry
On the used front, an influx of early leased Nissan Leafs and Chevy Bolts now appear routinely on dealership lots and Craigslist priced under $15,000 – an affordable entry point for used EV shoppers.
Tennessee even hosts a few Tesla store locations now that Elon himself has moved regional HQ operations to Nashville! So Model 3, S, X and Y inventory keeps expanding for buyers seeking that quintessential modern EV experience Tesla offers.
Whether aiming budget or luxury, shiny new or pre-owned, performance or practicality, shoppers can find excellent electric options from dedicated EV startups and traditional automakers alike across Tennessee dealer showrooms now.
The Electric Verdict: Should You Go EV in Tennessee?
Considering everything we‘ve covered, is buying or leasing an electric vehicle a savvy move for Tennessee drivers today?
For many local commuters, absolutely! An EV can easily handle average daily in-town driving needs without range concerns. Home and workplace charging offers unbeatable convenience fueling from you couch or office. Maintenance costs drop substantially without oil changes or tune-ups to worry over. And electricity averages under half the equivalent cost per mile vs gas prices.
Long distance travel opens more considerations. While cross-state EV travel remains quite feasible relying on DC fast charging stations along major highways, route planning still proves essential for worry-free road trips. And our rural fast charging networks continue improving to reconnect far-flung destinations. So regional wandering could still pose challenges lacking extensive infrastructure in remote areas.
But with the momentum building on EV infrastructure expansions slated to link more Tennessee towns over the next 5 years, electric vehicle adoption looks poised to accelerate rapidly. We‘re on the cusp of a tipping point where the economics, technology and convenience factor will prove irresistible for more Nashville, Memphis and Knoxville drivers eyeing the EV shift.
I hope this electric vehicle deep dive has helped capture everything most Tennessee drivers need to know navigating the transition from gas power to electrons! Let me know if any other EV ownership questions pop up – I‘m always happy to chat electricity and share insights from my years behind the wheel of my trusty Bolt.
Jesse Wilson
EV Enthusiast and Tennessee Native
